. >> the obama administration saw a reformer. on the revolt started they backed u.n. diplomacy. then they bet on moscow to play a constructive role. predictably, none of this has worked. >> reporter: here in israel today netanyahu's new intelligence minister said, it is apparently clear chemical weapons were used in syria. the republican chairman of the house intligence committee said he believes chemical weapons were used by the regime with a caveat. >> there is a high probability that a chemical agent was used. again, i would like to see forensic evidence. >> reporter: the u.s. ambassador to syria is in this -- in the sea has been shuttered for more than a year pays on the question of chemical weapons. >> i cannot tell you what happened. i can tell you that we have a large team of people working on it right now. >> reporter: raising the stakes by saying the syrian regime has lost control the border with turkey. meanwhile, in jordan where the president will visit on friday, they are bracing not only for a potential refugee crisi